Special Outing: Nature Journaling at Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve

Join Sonoma Ecology Center, Sonoma County Ag + Open Space, and Nature Journaling Instructor Sarah Reid for a special outing at Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve, a stunning 162-acre protected area renowned for its incredible biodiversity and vibrant wildflower displays. This exclusive opportunity allows participants to experience one of Sonoma Valley’s most treasured landscapes!

Each spring, the rolling grasslands of Van Hoosear burst into a spectacular display of native wildflowers including California poppies, lupines, buttercups, shooting stars, and owl’s clover. Our guided hikes offer a chance to learn about the preserve’s unique landscape, diverse plant communities, and the role of conservation in protecting these ecosystems.

Though this special outing welcomes beginners, it will be oriented toward those who are already practiced in nature journaling, sketching, or painting. We’ll begin with a demonstration, and instructional support will be offered throughout the outing. As we stroll among numerous species of native wildflowers, we’ll practice recording our observations—there is so much to see and capture by camera and by journal! Participants will be provided with a list of species and a Nature Journaling booklet to keep.

PLEASE BRING:
— Journal or blank paper and clipboard
— #2 pencil or equivalent
— Black ballpoint pen
— Any other art tools you’d like to use in the field
— Easy-to-carry yoga mat, cloth, or blanket to use for sitting on the ground
— Sturdy hiking shoes
— Weather-appropriate clothing (layers recommended)
— Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
— Water and a snack
— (Optional but encouraged) binoculars and a field guide

There is no charge for this outing, which is made possible by the voters of Sonoma County who fund the work of Ag + Open Space with a quarter-cent sales tax. Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve is permanently protected under a conservation easement made possible by the voter-approved Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) and the California Wildlife Conservation Board. Sonoma Ecology Center manages Van Hoosear Preserve through a partnership with the landowner.